Arkansas Tech University was founded in 1909 as an agricultural school, so perhaps it is fitting that as the university celebrates its 100-year anniversary the president of the Tech Student Government Association is an agriculture business major.
Dustin Parsons of Benton is proud of that heritage, and he is proud to lead the SGA during Arkansas Tech’s centennial year.
“It’s meaningful because I’ve always worked around agriculture,” said Parsons, who was elected SGA president for the 2009-10 academic year last spring. “To have a chance to work in the same field as the forefathers of this university is exciting. I don’t think people always understand where the products we use every day really come from. I want to maintain that connection with agriculture and its importance to our state and our country.”
Parsons has been involved in SGA since his sophomore year, when he was elected as a senator. Later, he served as chair of the student organizations committee, administrative assistant to the SGA executive committee, parliamentarian and secretary.
He has also held student leadership positions with the Collegiate Middle School Association, the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, the Tech Loyalty Fund and Sigma Pi.
“Looking back at everything, each role I had prepared me for the next role,” said Parsons. “I don’t believe you can be an effective president until you have held a variety of other positions. I’ve been shaped by my involvement in a variety of organizations.”
Parsons said that he views SGA as the bridge between a university’s administration and its students.
“I asked our executive committee members to each come up with a word that they want to focus on this year, and my word is collaboration,” said Parsons. “We have so many student organizations on this campus that have so many different qualities. I’d like to see us all work together.
“For student government to be an effective organization on campus, we have to ask ourselves what we would want done if we were not in SGA,” continued Parsons. “I think once we take that view in our mind, we can be that liaison between the administration and the students.”
A 2004 graduate of Bauxite High School and the son of Sherry and Terry Parsons of Benton, Parsons believes that his time serving in SGA has made him a better person.
“It’s made me realize that if we’re going to accomplish anything, I first have to be willing to listen to someone else’s idea or opinion,” said Parsons. “A lot of times we don’t try to understand where other people are coming from. I’ve learned patience, and I’ve learned to think of others before myself. I’ve also learned to look at issues in the big picture. Is this issue really going to matter in 10 years? Is this idea going to achieve what we need it to achieve?”
The student senate will meet on Wednesdays at noon throughout the 2009-10 academic year.
